FORT STEELE – The province’s showcase of local food producers has been on hold during the pandemic, but the first two Every Chef Needs a Farmer, Every Farmer Needs a Chef events continue to repay attendees. Held in 2018 and 2019, the conferences attracted a total of 500 farmers, chefs and food service professionals from …
beef
Producers beef up support for Island cattle
COURTENAY – Vancouver Island beef producers have banded together to establish a regional affiliate of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Vancouver Island producers have been able to join the association in the past as individual members, but the new Vancouver Island Cattlemen’s Association will give the local industry official standing alongside 17 other regional organizations. “We …
Strong fundamentals for beef market
The early calf gets the price could be the story for this year’s fall cattle run. While prices were around $2.15 a pound for a 550 lb. steer through mid-October, pricing began to slip in the latter half of the month. “Things are really just getting going with the peak of the fall run happening …
Province updates watering intentions
The province updated the intentions paper for its proposed livestock watering policy at the end of July. “We were surprised to see an updated intentions paper released, quite frankly,” says Princeton area rancher Linda Allison, noting the extensive consultations BC Cattlemen’s Association have had with the province over the last 10 years. “We voiced many …
Cattle industry seeks cash
There was some hope for the BC cattle industry in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement on May 5 of $252 million to support agriculture and food processing. Almost half the funds, $125 million, are earmarked for AgriRecovery initiatives to support producers facing additional costs as a result of COVID-19. The funds include $50 million for …
Plant closures a crisis for cattlemen
Ranchers are asking Ottawa to consider two programs to support the industry following significant reductions in processing capacity this week. “The situation has gone from serious to critical,” says Fawn Jackson, director of government and international relations with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). She says the federal government appears to be looking to the provinces …